Terrorists kill one and injure two in separate attacks in J&K
A foot soldier of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and an ardent follower of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh, a former Sarpanch, was shot dead in cold blood by ‘unidentified’ terrorists in the Heerpora area of Shopian late Saturday night.
This is the first incident of any targeting of a political worker in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls in the valley.
Soon after the attack took place the family members of Aijaz rushed him to the hospital where he succumbed to his fatal injuries.
Aijaz had received multiple bullet injuries in the indiscriminate firing inside his home.
According to a close relative who identified himself as Irfan Ahmad Sheikh, ” Around 10 pm, we heard the sound of shooting but we had no idea who it was and from where the sound came from. After 10-15 minutes, his mother said that somebody shot her son. We don’t know from where the shooter came and where he went. After 10-15 minutes, Police and Army came here and we took him (Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh) to the hospital, the doctor declared him dead…”
The Kashmir Zone Police Saturday night confirmed the attack in a post on the microblogging site ‘X’, stating, “#Terrorist fired upon a person Aijaz Ahmad at Heerpora, Shopian. Injured evacuated. The area has been cordoned off. Further details to follow.@JmuKmrPolice.”
They later updated, “He was removed to hospital but succumbed to grievous injuries during the initial treatment”.
#Terrorist fired upon a person Aijaz Ahmad at Heerpora, #Shopian. Injured evacuated. Area cordoned off. Further details to follow.@JmuKmrPolice
— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) May 18, 2024
In a separate attack, emboldened terrorists also targeted a tourist couple from Rajasthan in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag. The injured tourists were immediately rushed to the hospital where their condition was stated to be stable.
#Terrorist fired upon and injured a lady Farha R/O Jaipur and spouse Tabrez at Yannar, #Anantnag. Injured evacuated to hospital for treatment. Area cordoned off. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice
— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) May 18, 2024
According to police the tourist couple was fired at in the Yannar area in Pahalgam and were evacuated to a nearby hospital. They have been identified as Farah Khan and Tabrez Khan of Jaipur in Rajasthan.
“We strongly condemn the killing of ex-Sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh in Heerpora, Shopian, South Kashmir, by terrorists today,” a statement issued by the BJP said.
“Aijaz Ahmad was a brave soldier of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP firmly stands with the family of Aijaz Ahmad, who lost his life in this terror attack”.
Aijaz Ahmad was a popular BJP voice in the valley
Soon after reports of the targeted killing of former BJP Sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh flashed on the TV screens, several video clips of his media interactions went viral. Aijaz was very vocal about the transformation Kashmir Valley was witnessing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During a brief chat, he explained to a New Delhi-based reporter how various developmental schemes have transformed the valley. Youth have stopped participating in the stone pelting, the graph of terrorism is on the decline and multiple schemes are helping the youth in the valley join the mainstream and earn their livelihood.
I Strongly condemn the terror attack on BJP (Ex-Sarpanch) Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh in Heerpora, Shopian.
who was killed by Pakistan sponsored terrorists in South kashmir.
Heartfelt condolences and sympathies to his family. pic.twitter.com/cCTRArvVv5— Sahil Bashir Bhat (@ErSahilBhat) May 18, 2024
Netizens too reacted sharply and condemned the targeted killing of a former BJP sarpanch.
Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh was a brave member of the BJP and an elected representative of his area. May his soul rest in peace.
I Strongly condemn the terror attack on BJP (Ex-Sarpanch) Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh in Heerpora, Shopian who was killed by Pakistan sponsored terrorists in South kashmir.
Heartfelt condolences and sympathies to his family. pic.twitter.com/QM4sbS3O6d
— Mir Basharat (@Basharatmir16) May 18, 2024
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “Very sorry to hear about the twin militant attacks in South Kashmir against tourists & a political worker of the BJP. I unequivocally condemn these deadly attacks. My condolences to the family of Aijaz Ahmed. May Allah grant him a place in Jannat. I also pray that Tabrez & Farah, from Jaipur in Rajasthan, make a complete recovery“.
Very sorry to hear about the twin militant attacks in South Kashmir against tourists & a political worker of the BJP. I unequivocally condemn these deadly attacks. My condolences to the family of Aijaz Ahmed. May Allah grant him place in Jannt. I also pray that Tabrez & Farah,…
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 19, 2024
PDP Chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said, “While we condemn the attack in Pahalgam today that resulted in injuries to two tourists followed by another attack on a sarpanch in Heerpora, Shopian – the timing of these attacks given that the South election was delayed without any reason is a cause of concern. Especially keeping in mind normalcy claims touted by GOI”.
While we condemn the attack in Pahalgam today that resulted in injuries to two tourists followed by another attack on a sarpanch in Hurpora, Shopian – the timing of these attacks given that the South election was delayed without any reason is a cause of concern. Especially… https://t.co/rEa7SMpBGZ
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 18, 2024
Strongly condemn the killing of sarpanch Aijaz Ahmed in Shopian.
May He rest in peace.
May his family find the strength to bear this loss.
May Allah grant him Jannat.— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) May 18, 2024
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2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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